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Board hears Lou Dennis Park timeline, FEMA trail repair options and maintenance priorities
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Summary
Staff told the Town of Newburgh Parks Board the Lou Dennis playground work is expected to begin in March/April, reported options to secure $50,000 in FEMA trail repairs (riprap, gabion baskets or concrete wall) and outlined plans for donor bricks, art-square displays and maintenance projects including a proposed metal fence replacement.
The parks staff updated the board on construction timing for Lou Dennis Community Park, options for trail repairs tied to FEMA reimbursement, donor-artifact preservation and routine maintenance needs.
On timing, the staff member said the playground contractor is expected to begin initial work in March with installation continuing into April. "They think they're going to start in March with the playground," the staff member said, but added that a confirmed groundbreaking date had not been provided; staff will circulate dates and schedule a formal groundbreaking once a date is confirmed so donors and state representatives can attend.
On trail repairs and FEMA funding, the staff member said $50,000 in FEMA funds "can't be reimbursed until that work is done underneath the trail." She described three technical options under review — riprap, a gabion basket or a concrete wall — and said proposals were sent to ERAP for review; the team hopes to recoup the FEMA money after the selected repair is approved. The staff member said a gabion basket (a wire cage filled with rock) is among the preferred options because it may provide a longer-lasting solution than simple riprap.
Staff also described salvaged donor bricks and art squares from the old splash pad and proposed several options to display them at the new facility, including embedding them in a pad or as a border around decorative features. "We do have the ones that still have engravings on them," the staff member said, and suggested mounting a donor plaque or incorporating squares around artwork such as the dragon feature.
Noah, the new maintenance supervisor, outlined early priorities: measuring and quoting a metal replacement for a vinyl fence damaged by basketballs, adjusting porch lighting to dawn-to-dusk operation, and preparing for playground-area work that will require removal or relocation of the volleyball court. "To me, it looks like the basketballs are probably hitting that vinyl fence and breaking it," Noah said, and recommended a metal fence.
Staff also scheduled a police security-assessment presentation: Paul Perry noted that Chief Mitchell agreed to present a parks security assessment at the April 9 meeting. The board confirmed its next meeting date and adjourned after routine business.
Formal motions at the meeting included approval of the February minutes (motion passed by voice) and a motion to adjourn; no other formal votes were recorded.
